Google Translate is one of the best known online translating service. It supports a large array of languages, and usually has very good results. The service has also been integrated in Android handsets for a while. Yesterday, Google released a native iPhone version as well. While there's been clones and unofficial apps before, this is the original, from Google itself. The app adds features over what the web has offered before, and is overall very impressive. It's no wonder that it shot right up in the top 10 apps on the App Store. Oh, and of course, it's completely free.

The interface is very simple. Pick your languages, enter the text and you get the result. Not only can you type in phrases to translate, but you can also speak in many of the languages supported. The result gives you what Google think is the proper translation, and also adds some synonyms in case that wasn't exactly what you were looking for. There's also a speech button and the app will speak the result for you, in a voice that is surprisingly good. Finally, it will also remember your recent translations, and you can favorite specific ones. When testing the app, I found the result to be excellent when going from English to another language. The app understood me most of the time, and provided the proper translation. The reverse wasn't always the case, and speaking in French often gave mixed results. You may end up having to type the sentences you are trying to get back into English. The voices are also surprisingly accurate. The French voice for example sounds like a native speaker.

This service is one of the major advantages that Android had in the past, especially for those who travel a lot, and now the iPhone version is just as good, and really the best translation app out there. At this price point, there's no reason not to have it on your phone.